Friday, October 10, 2014

In This Issue

Fraud in the News

Review Your Coverage for 2015: Open Enrollment Begins October 15

The Faces & Facts of Disability: Debunking Social Security Fraud

he New SMP Fraud Alert

Fraud in the News

The following are current news articles about health care and fraud issues.

Health Care Fraud:

1. "Area Women Plead Guilty To Medicaid Funds Fraud" (DOJ): http://www.justice.gov/ usao/ils/News/2014/Sep/ 09262014_Hall%20Press %20Release.html

2. "FTC Halts Fake Medicare Scheme that Took Money from Seniors' Bank Accounts" (FTC): http://www.ftc.gov/ news-events/press-releases/2014/10/ftc-halts-fake-medicare-scheme-took-money-seniors-bank-accounts

3. "Captured Fugitive: Felix Gonzalez" (HHS OIG):
http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/ fugitives/ captured_profiles.asp

Consumer Fraud:

4. "Getting Back at the Scammers" (Washington Post):
http://www.washingtonpost .com/business/getting-back-at-the-scammers/2014/09/30/ b823e914-48e3-11e4-a046-120a8a855cca_story.html

5. "Be Smart About Your Phone" (FTC):
http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/ blog/be-smart-about-your-phone

6. "Cyber Criminals Using Fake Government E-mail to Perpetrate Scam" (IC3):
http://www.ic3.gov/media/ 2014/140924.aspx

7. "10 Ways to Protect Yourself From Identity Theft" (AARP): http://www.aarp.org/ money/scams-fraud/info-2014/avoiding-identity-theft-photo.html

Please share this Fraud Alert with colleagues, consumers, or other professionals in your area. If you have any questions about the Illinois SMP program, or to receive these Fraud Alerts directly, please contact Jason Echols, Healthcare Consumer Protection Coordinator at AgeOptions.

This document was supported in part by a grant (No. 90MP0163 & 90SP0061) from the Administration on Aging (AoA), Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Grantees carrying out projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Therefore, points of view or opinions do not necessarily represent official AoA, ACL, or DHHS policy.

Dear SMP Readers,

This week's Fraud Alert contains resources for Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (begins October 15), facts about social security disability insurance, and our new SMP Fraud Alert format.

Have a great weekend!

Review Your Coverage for 2015:
Open Enrollment Begins October 15

Medicare's Open Enrollment Period begins on Wednesday, October 15. From October 15 through December 7, you can visit www.Medicare.gov to compare your current coverage to other plans in your area for Part D prescription drug coverage or Medicare Advantage. If you choose to change your coverage, your new plan will begin January 1, 2015.

During open enrollment, you may be approached by insurance agents trying to sell you plans. Although most agents are honest, some agents may try to mislead you into buying a plan. This is marketing fraud, and it should be reported to the Illinois SMP at (800)699-9043.

If you meet with an agent, make an informed decision by asking the agent to explain your potential coverage. Use the Illinois SMP's "Ask the Right Questions" Checklist available at:
http://www.ageoptions.org/documents/ AskRightQuestions.pdf

To learn more and to find out how you can get free impartial assistance in comparing plans, read the Illinois SMP's article on Open Enrollment and insurance marketing fraud, at this link:
http://downloads.ageoptions.org/benefits/SMP/ SMPOpenEnrollmentArticle2014.pdf

The Faces & Facts of Disability: Debunking Social Security Fraud

This summer, the Social Security Administration launched a public awareness campaign to educate the public on the vital Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program and how it positively impacts the lives of Americans. The Faces and Facts of Disability campaign shares the faces and voices of the SSDI population.

Social Security works to identify and prosecute people who commit fraud. The program's fraud incidence rate is a fraction of one percent.

Learn more about what SSDI is, how people earn and qualify for it, and how it impacts the lives of those who receive this benefit by watching the video below and visiting the Faces and Facts website at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/disabilityfacts/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzcBj4UgQJA

The New SMP Fraud Alert

This SMP Fraud Alert is our first to be sent with the Constant Contact online email tool. To ensure that you continue to receive these emails in your email inbox, we suggest that you add the following addresses to your email's junk mail filter safe list:

jason.echols@ageoptions.org
@in.constantcontact.com
@in.confirmedcc.com

We hope you enjoy this new format for the Fraud Alert and that it is more accessible to more of our readers. If you enjoy the Fraud Alert, please share with your friends using the "Send to a Colleague" button on the right side menu:

You can also encourage friends, family, or coworkers to join this email list by clicking the "Sign Up" button on our Fraud Alert webpage:
http://www.ageoptions.org/services-and-programs_SMP_FraudAlerts.html

If you have any questions, email jason.echols@ageoptions.org.

AgeOptions Ideogram

Jason B. Echols, MSW,
Health Care Consumer Protection Coordinator
AgeOptions
1048 Lake Street, Suite 300
Oak Park, IL 60301
phone (708)383-0258 fax (708)524-0870
jason.echols@ageoptions.org

ageoptions.org

AgeOptions, the Area Agency on Aging of Suburban Cook County, is committed to improving the quality of life and maintaining the dignity of older adults and those who care about them - through leadership and support, community partnerships, comprehensive services, accurate information and powerful advocacy.

Fraud Alerts contain information about current scams taking place in Illinois, announcements and updates about programs or services related to health care and/or fraud protection, and links to news articles about health care and fraud topics. Please forward any recommendations or announcements that you would like to be included in a future Fraud Alert to jason.echols@ageoptions.org.